Methods and apparatus to provide asymmetrical magnetic fields, and induction heating using asymmetrical magnetic fields

ABSTRACT

An electromagnetic array includes a substrate defined by a plurality of regions. Each region includes a plurality of conductors arranged in a varying configuration such that, upon application of an electric current, each conductor of the plurality of conductors generates a magnetic field in a polarity that is other than a polarity of a corresponding magnetic field of at least one adjacent conductor. Each region includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface having a strong magnetic field relative to a weak magnetic field associated with the second surface in response to the electric current. A first region is adjacent to another region, and configured such that a polarity of the strong magnetic field associated with the first region is in a polarity other than a polarity of the strong magnetic field associated with the at least one other region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/539,259, filed on Jul. 31,2017; and Application Ser. No. 62/539,306, filed on Jul. 31, 2017, whichare incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to magnetics and, more particularly,to methods and apparatus to provide asymmetrical magnetic fields, andinduction heating using asymmetrical magnetic fields.

Producing an asymmetric magnetic field can be advantageous in a varietyof applications. For example, in induction heating applications it wouldbe desirable to produce a magnetic field at an interface with a materialto be heated without producing significant stray magnetic fields belowor to the sides of the material, thereby transferring magnetic energy tothe material.

SUMMARY

Methods and systems are provided for providing asymmetrical magneticfields, such as a Halbach array, and for induction heating usingasymmetrical magnetic fields, substantially as illustrated by anddescribed in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forthmore completely in the claims.

In disclosed examples, an electromagnetic array includes a substratedefined by a plurality of regions, with each region including aplurality of conductors arranged in a varying configuration such that,upon application of an electric current, each conductor of the pluralityof conductors generates a magnetic field in a polarity that is otherthan a polarity of a corresponding magnetic field of at least oneadjacent conductor, and a first surface and a second surface oppositethe first surface. The first surface has a strong magnetic fieldrelative to a weak magnetic field associated with the second surface inresponse to the electric current, wherein a first region of theplurality of regions is adjacent to at least one other region of theplurality of regions, and configured such that a polarity of the strongmagnetic field associated with the first region is in a polarity otherthan a polarity of the strong magnetic field associated with the atleast one other region.

In some examples, a controller selectively applies the electric currentto the first region of the plurality of regions independently of asecond region of the plurality of regions. In examples, the polarity ofthe strong magnetic field associated with the first region is in apolarity opposite the polarity of the strong magnetic field associatedwith the at least one other region.

In examples, a controller selectively applies the electric current to aplurality of conductors associated with a subset of the plurality ofregions that are within a magnetic influence of a material suitable forinduction heating, the application of the electric current toinductively heat an area of the material corresponding to the subset ofthe plurality of regions.

In some examples, the at least one adjacent region includes a givenadjacent region and another adjacent region, the array furthercomprising a controller to apply the electric current to a plurality ofconductors associated with each of the first region, the given regionand the other region such that the strong magnetic fields of the givenregion and the other region are attracted to a material suitable forinduction heating.

In examples, the array is overmolded with a substance comprising one ormore of silicone, polymers, or rubber. In some examples, the substanceis doped with a material selected to increase magnetic permeability ofthe array. In examples, a layer of resistive heating elements overlyingthe substrate. In examples, the substrate comprises a flexible material.In examples, the flexible material is a flexible printed circuit board.In examples, the flexible material comprises one or more of a polyimidefilm, polyamide film, or a polyester resin.

In some examples, two or more regions of the plurality of regions areconnected to form one or more of a regular shape or an irregular shape.In examples, the regular shape comprises at least one of a triangularshape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape, and an annulus. Inexamples, the irregular shape comprises a curved shape, an L-shapedshape, a U-shaped shape, and an M-shaped shape.

In some examples, one or more regions of the plurality of regions isindependently connected to at least one electric current source. Inexamples, each conductor of each region is connected to a singleelectric current source.

In other disclosed examples, an electromagnetic array includes a firstarray formed on a first layer of a substrate comprising a plurality ofregions. Each region includes a plurality of electrical conductorsarranged in a varying configuration such that, upon application of anelectric current, each conductor of the plurality of conductorsgenerates a magnetic field in a polarity that is other than a polarityof a magnetic field of at least one adjacent conductor. Each region alsoincludes a first surface and a second surface opposite the firstsurface, the first surface having a strong magnetic field relative to aweak magnetic field associated with the second surface in response tothe electric current, wherein a first region of the plurality of regionsis adjacent to at least one other region of the plurality of regions andarranged such that a polarity of the strong magnetic field associatedwith the first region is opposite a polarity of the strong magneticfield associated with the at least one other region. Also included is asecond array formed on a second layer of the substrate comprising aplurality of regions. Each region includes a plurality of conductorsarranged in a varying configuration such that, upon application of anelectric current, each conductor of the plurality of conductorsgenerates a magnetic field in a polarity that is other than a polarityof a magnetic field of at least one adjacent conductor, and a firstsurface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the firstsurface having a strong magnetic field relative to a weak magnetic fieldassociated with the second surface in response to the electric current.A first region of the plurality of regions is adjacent to at least oneother region of the plurality of regions and arranged such that apolarity of the strong magnetic field associated with the first regionis other than a polarity of the strong magnetic field associated withthe at least one other region.

In some examples, the first and second arrays are formed on thesubstrate such that a first surface of the first array faces a secondsurface of the second array, the first array aligned with the secondarray such that each region of the first surface of the first array hasa magnetic field in a polarity opposite the corresponding region of thesecond surface of the second array, further comprising a controller toapply the electric current to a plurality of conductors associated witheach of the first and second arrays such that the strong magnetic fieldsof at least two corresponding regions of the first and second arraysattract.

In other examples, the first and second arrays are formed on thesubstrate such that a first surface of the first array faces a secondsurface of the second array, the first array aligned with the secondarray such that each region of the first surface of the first array hasa magnetic field in a polarity common to the corresponding region of thesecond surface of the second array, further comprising a controller toapply the electric current to a plurality of conductors associated witheach of the first and second arrays such that the strong magnetic fieldsof at least two corresponding regions of the first and second arraysrepel.

In yet another disclosed example, a method of inducing heating in amaterial suitable for induction heating. The method includes positioningan array such that a first surface of the array is within a magneticinfluence of a surface of the material suitable for induction heating.The array includes a substrate defined by a plurality of regions, eachregion including a plurality of conductors arranged in a varyingconfiguration such that, upon application of an electric current, eachconductor of the plurality of conductors generates a magnetic field in apolarity that is other than a polarity of a corresponding magnetic fieldof at least one adjacent conductor, and a first surface and a secondsurface opposite the first surface, the first surface having a strongmagnetic field relative to a weak magnetic field associated with thesecond surface in response to the electric current. A first region ofthe plurality of regions is adjacent to at least one other region of theplurality of regions, and configured such that a polarity of the strongmagnetic field associated with the first region is in a polarity otherthan a polarity of the strong magnetic field associated with the atleast one other region. The method also selectively applies electriccurrent to at least one of the first region and the at least one otherregion of the array to generate a magnetic field at the at least one ofthe first region and the at least one other region sufficient to induceheating in the material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary array in accordance with aspects of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an example implementation of the array of FIG. 1, inaccordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows another example implementation of the array of FIG. 1, inaccordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIGS. 4-6 show additional example implementations of the array of FIG.1, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show example field strengths of the array of FIG. 1, inaccordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIGS. 9-11 show example implementations of multiple arrays, inaccordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of inducingheating in a material suitable for induction heating using an array, inaccordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows another example array and two heating targets to induceinduction heating from the generated magnetic field, in accordance withaspects of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Devices configured to project asymmetrical magnetic fields have beenemployed in a variety of industries, such as induction heating.Conventional systems employing asymmetrical magnetic fields provide auniform magnetic field on a uniform surface. Flexibility to modularizeand selectively apply a magnetic field would allow for heating ofnon-uniform surfaces, as well as inducing heating on selected,non-uniform patterns.

A disclosed example electromagnetic array includes a substrate definedby a plurality of regions. Each region includes a plurality ofconductors arranged in a varying configuration such that, uponapplication of an electric current, each conductor of the plurality ofconductors generates a magnetic field in a polarity that is other than apolarity of a corresponding magnetic field of at least one adjacentconductor. Each region further includes a first surface and a secondsurface opposite the first surface, the first surface having a strongmagnetic field relative to a weak magnetic field associated with thesecond surface in response to the electric current. A first region ofthe plurality of regions is adjacent to at least one other region of theplurality of regions, and configured such that a polarity of the strongmagnetic field associated with the first region is in a polarity otherthan a polarity of the strong magnetic field associated with the atleast one other region.

In some examples, the array includes a controller to selectively applythe electric current to the first region of the plurality of regionsindependently of a second region of the plurality of regions. In someexamples, the polarity of the strong magnetic field associated with thefirst region is in a polarity opposite the polarity of the strongmagnetic field associated with the at least one other region.

Some example arrays include a controller to selectively apply theelectric current to a plurality of conductors associated with a subsetof the plurality of regions that are within a magnetic influence of amaterial suitable for induction heating, the application of the electriccurrent to inductively heat an area of the material corresponding to thesubset of the plurality of regions.

In some examples, the array is overmolded with a substance comprisingsilicone. In some examples, the substance is doped with a materialselected to increase magnetic permeability of the array. Additionally oralternatively, the overmolded substance can include a variety ofmaterials that are flexible and/or able to withstand high temperature,such as materials selected from a fluoropolymer group, high temperaturerubbers, as only a few examples known to those skilled in the art. Someexample arrays include a layer of resistive heating elements overlyingthe substrate. In some examples, the substrate comprises a flexiblematerial. In some examples, the flexible material is a flexible printedcircuit board. In some examples, the flexible material comprises apolyimide film.

In some examples, two or more regions of the plurality of regions areconnected to form one or more of a regular shape or an irregular shape.In some examples, the regular shape comprises at least one of atriangular shape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape, and an annulus.In some examples, the irregular shape comprises a curved shape, anL-shaped shape, a U-shaped shape, and an M-shaped shape. In someexamples, one or more regions of the plurality of regions isindependently connected to at least one electric current source. In someexamples, each conductor of each region is connected to a singleelectric current source.

A conductor, as used herein, may include one or more individualconductive elements that may be combined to function as a singleconductor. Induction heating is a method for producing heat in alocalized area on a susceptible metal object. Induction heating involvesapplying an electric signal to a conductor placed near a specificlocation on a piece of metal to be heated. The current in the loopcreates a magnetic flux within the metal to be heated. Current isinduced in the metal by the magnetic flux and the internal resistance ofthe metal causes it to heat up in a relatively short period of time.Induction heating power supply, as used herein, refers to a power sourcethat is capable of providing power to an induction conductor to induceheat in a metallic workpiece. Induction heating system, as used herein,includes a power source that can provide power for induction heating(e.g., induce heat in a workpiece in a welding application). Inductorwinding, as used herein, includes a winding that induces a magneticfield when current flows therein.

Welding-type power, as used herein, refers to power suitable forwelding, plasma cutting, induction heating, air carbon-arc cuttingand/or gouging (CAC-A), cladding, and/or hot wire welding/preheating(including laser welding and laser cladding). Welding-type system, asused herein, includes any device capable of supplying power suitable forwelding, plasma cutting, induction heating, CAC-A and/or hot wirewelding/preheating (including laser welding and laser cladding),including inverters, converters, choppers, resonant power supplies,quasi-resonant power supplies, etc., as well as control circuitry andother ancillary circuitry associated therewith.

Electromagnetic field inducing devices have been employed in variousapplications, such as induction heating blankets, printed circuit board(PCB) induction heating elements, thin magnet fixtures, wireless energytransfer devices, high-strength electromagnets, for instance. The arraydescribed herein may be advantageously used for any of a variety ofapplications, such as induction heating, wireless power transfer, plasmareactors, and magnetic resonance imaging, by way of example.Applications to induction heating may include induction cooktops,medical applications, industrial applications, wireless charging, andtool and machine manufacturing.

The present disclosure describes an array defined by a strong magneticfield on one side and a relatively weak magnetic field on the otherside. The magnetic field is produced by orienting conductors such that,when an electrical current is provided, the resulting magnetic fieldswork in concert to focus the magnetic field to one side of the array,similar to a Halbach array. Producing a magnetic field in this mannerhas many advantages. For example, the array is simpler to manufacture,the array can be mounted and/or printed on a flexible substrate, thearray may wrap itself around objects of varying geometries (e.g.,non-planar, complex surfaces), and the array may be modular so thatmultiple arrays can be combined to create a larger and/or uniquelyshaped array, to name but a few.

The conductors employed in the examples provided herein can take manyforms, in accordance with each particular application. In some examples,the conductors are printed on a PCB in a manner to induce a magneticfield on a single surface of the array, as described in greater detail,below. The conductors may take the form of coiled wires (e.g.,windings), arranged in a pattern such that the coiled wires produce anasymmetric magnetic field in response to an electric current. In someexamples, the coiled wires may be arranged to substantially cancel amagnetic field below the array, while concentrating the magnetic fieldon the opposite surface. Accordingly, energy is transferred from thearray to a target material on a given surface, whereas the magneticfield on the opposing side is substantially zero.

Disclosed examples may be used in a variety of induction heatingapplications, including heating a pipe to be welded. Presently most pipeinduction heating is performed by wrapping a conductor around the pipeto make a magnetic field axial to the pipe's surface. Disclosed examplesinclude a plurality of magnetic poles normal and axial to the pipesurface created by an electromagnet Halbach array. In this example,installation of such an array is simpler than in conventional methods.In particular, the array does not need to be carefully and preciselywrapped since it can be blanketed on to the surface of the pipe, andwhen energized the array may pull itself up to the surface for optimalinductive coupling. Additionally, the array as described herein could bemuch lighter than present pipe induction heating applications usingcoils (e.g., resistive heating elements).

The overall dimensions and shape of the array can be altered sinceadditional arrays of various sizes and shapes may be attached to eachother so that complex shapes can be created. In combining variousarrays, each can be separately connected to a power source and/orcontroller. In this manner, one or more of the connected arrays can beselectively energized and magnetized to achieve targeted inductionheating.

Some advantages realized in the new technology include ease ofattachment and a modular fit capable of wrapping around complexgeometries. The attractive tendencies of the array may allow the arrayto pull itself against a surface, limiting the distance of the magneticfield and the ferrous material for strong magnetic coupling. Thecompleted array can include conductors that are printed on a circuitboard (e.g., PCB), resulting in a thin and light device that isstraightforward to manufacture. The array may be printed onto orotherwise arranged on a substrate to provide structural support for theconductors. The substrate may be made of a flexible substrate (e.g.,formed of flexible polymer such as polyimide films, polyamide films,polyester resins, or any other suitable material) that provides aconformable surface. Using a flexible substrate (e.g., Kapton, nylon,Mylar, etc.), the attractive magnetic forces may cause the array to curlagainst and/or around a target materials, which can be thin incomparison to previous systems (e.g., the ability to wrap the arrayaround an irregularly shaped workpiece to be inductively heated).

A conductor formed in/on the substrate (e.g., a coiled wire) may be madefrom a variety of metallic and other conductors, such as wire (e.g.,Litz wire), a printed conductor, etc. The term “printed conductor” isintended to refer to conductors formed by, for instance, additivemanufacturing techniques to deposit the conductor on the substrate oretching conductive regions to form the conductors. The conductors may beany type of conductive material (e.g., copper, aluminum, etc.).

In some examples, the array can include a mechanism (not shown)configured to modify the area of the array. For instance, the mechanismcan comprise a surrounding ring or frame of a variable length such thatwhen a force or tension is applied to the ring, the area defining thearray shrinks. In another example, the mechanism can be anotherelectromagnet independent of the conductors to cause an attractive forceto compress the footprint of the array. The mechanism can be configuredsuch that, upon actuation, the array takes on a desired shape (e.g., towrap around a specific geometric shape).

Due to the configuration that focuses a magnetic field, the array can beemployed in inductive charging devices (e.g., wireless charging).Further, the focused magnetic field would reduce errant fields, andcould reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). Applications towireless power transfer may include chargers for portable electronicdevices having energy storage (e.g., a battery), such as chargers forportable computing devices including mobile phones, tablet computers,etc.

FIG. 1 shows an example array, where multiple layers (e.g., planes 105,106) include conductors that cooperate to produce an asymmetricalmagnetic field. The planes 105, 106 of FIG. 1 are arranged to generate astrong magnetic field on a first surface in response to an electriccurrent, while simultaneously limiting any magnetic field on an oppositesurface. The residual magnetic component of the opposite surface is arelatively weak magnetic field, as it is impractical to completelyeliminate a magnetic field on the second surface. For example, aconductor 101 is in a top plane 105 with current flowing into the planeof the page as denoted by the “x”. A conductor 102 is on the top plane105 with current flowing out of the plane of the page as denoted by the“.”. The conductors can be constructed as a single wire, as multipleinsulated wires such as Litz wire, or be formed by a wire loop fromadjacent conductors from either the top or bottom planes 150, 106.

A conductor 103 is in a bottom plane 106 with current flowing out of theplane of the page as denoted by the “.” A conductor 104 is in the bottomplane 106 with current flowing into the plane of the page as denoted bythe “x”. Similarly to conductors 101, 102, conductors 103, 104 can be asingle wire, multiple insulated wires such as Litz wire, or be formed bya wire loop from adjacent conductors from either the top or bottomplane.

The current carried by the top plane 105 conductors 101 and 102 can beequal (e.g., 25 amperes per wire, using 4 wires for a total of 100amperes per conductor). The current carried by the bottom plane 106conductors 103 and 104 can also be equal (e.g., 25 amperes per wire,using a single wire for a total of 25 amperes per conductor). However,the current carried by the by the top plane 105 and bottom plane 106conductors are not necessarily equal. The proper current carried by theconductors 101, 102, 103, and 104 and their proper spacing is essentialto produce an asymmetrical strength magnetic field. Thus, the spacingand current requirements can be adjusted based on the desiredimplementation and/or result.

FIG. 2 illustrates example magnetic field 107 around the individualconductors. For example, the magnetic field direction, 107, can be foundusing the right-hand-rule. Current flowing into the plane of the pageforms a clockwise magnetic field and current flowing out of the plane ofthe page forms a counter clockwise magnetic field. The strength of themagnetic field around a conductor can be found by Ampere's LawB=(u ₀ *I)/(2*pi*r)Where B in the magnetic field strength, u₀ is the permeability of freespace I is the current, and r is the radial distance from the conductor

Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the sum of the individual conductors magneticfields can either work together to enhance the field strength or workagainst each other to cancel out the fields. For instance, the arrowsare the sum of the fields, with the size of the arrow denoting itsrelative strength. An “X” between conductors represents the cancelationof the magnetic fields where the magnetic fields are pointing at or awayfrom each other.

Thus, as shown, arrow 108 represents the sum of the magnetic fieldsproduced by conductors 101 and 102 in the top plane 105. Arrow 109represents the sum of the magnetic fields produced by conductor 102 andthe adjacent conductor in the top plane 105. Arrow 110 represents thesum of the magnetic fields produced by conductor 101 in the top planeand conductor 103 in the bottom plane 106.

Arrow 111 represents the sum of the magnetic fields produced byconductor 102 in the top plane and 104 in the bottom plane. Arrow 112represents the sum of the magnetic fields produced by conductors 103 and104 in the bottom plane. Further, arrow 113 represents the cancellationof magnetic fields 110 and 111 and magnetic fields 108 and 112, whereasarrow 114 represents the cancellation of magnetic fields produced by 103and the adjacent conductor in the bottom plane. Note that the conductors101, 102 in the top plane 105 and the conductors 103, 104 the bottomplane 106 work together to enhance the magnetic field strength in thisdirection.

FIG. 4 illustrates the resulting field strength at a time “A”. Theamperage and the particular spacing of the conductors generates a strongmagnetic field on one side and a weak magnetic field on the oppositeside. As shown in FIG. 5, the current direction alternates at time “B”for all conductors, yet the strong magnetic field is always on the sameside and the weak is always opposite of that side. For example,alternating current is used for induction heating and inductive wirelesspower transmission. From time “A” to time “B”, the flow of currentreverses from 101, 102, 103, and 104 to 101′, 102′, 103′, and 104′. Themagnetic field produced has the same magnitude with opposite polarity.

FIG. 6 illustrates an array and a heating target to induce inductionheating from the generated magnetic field. For example, when a metallicobject (e.g., the heating target) is placed within the heating targetregion, 115, according to Lenz's Law, an opposing eddy current will beinduced in the metallic object to produce a magnetic field opposing thatcreated by a device 116 (e.g., including top and bottom planes 105,106). The heating effect produced by the eddy currents can besignificant. Conversely, placing a metallic object within the low fieldenvironment, 117, the object will not heat significantly as the fieldstrength is not strong enough to induce meaningful eddy currents. Insome examples, the metallic object (e.g., a ferromagnetic material) canshow effects consistent with hysteresis when, for instance, magneticinduction lags behind the magnetizing force from the induced magneticfield.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a top view of the device 116, representing themagnetic polarity as experienced by the region 115. FIG. 7 representsthe magnetic field arrangement at time “A” induced by the application ofcurrent in the conductors 101, 102, 103, and 104, corresponding to FIG.4, whereas FIG. 8 represents the magnetic field arrangement at time “B”induced by the application of current in the conductors 101′, 102′,103′, and 104′,corresponding to FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 illustrates an application of several devices (e.g., similar todevice 116) to generate asymmetric magnetic fields. In the firstexample, a power source is connected to a single device A. In a secondexample, a single power source connects multiple devices A, B and C inseries. Note that each of the devices A, B and C have a unique geometryand can thus conform to a variety of applications. In a third example,two device A are connected in parallel. It is noted that devices havingsimilar characteristics (e.g., geometry, configuration, size, powerrating, etc.) as well as devices of dissimilar characteristics can beconnected in either series or parallel.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example with two power sources connected tovarious devices. As shown, the power sources can be connected in avariety of ways, including parallel, series, and a combination of thetwo. The power sources can be used to activate a subset of devices, orenhance the power supplied to one or more device, or one or more subsetsof devices.

As provided in FIG. 11, devices of various shapes can be combined todefine an irregular shape. In this manner, the shape of the combineddevice can be customized for a particular application, such as heating aworkpiece with an irregular shape, bends, or multiple components (e.g.,a junction of two pipes to be welded). In some examples, each device isdefined by multiple regions. For instance, each region is associatedwith a magnetic field oriented with a polarity other than a polarity ofthe magnetic field of each adjacent region. Each device can thus beseparated into distinct areas, which include one or more regions forselective application of an electric current. In this arrangement, eachregion and/or area can be energized to generate a magnetic field in aproper subset of the regions of the device. Any one or more regions canbe selectively energized, regardless of orientation of the magneticfield in that region and whether an adjacent region is similarlyenergized.

Additionally, the combined device may be energized as a complete unit,each of the multiple devices can be energized separately, and/or eachregion of the multiple devices may be energized selectively. In anexample, non-contiguous of one or more devices are energized, whereasother regions are not. In another example, only a portion of a selectedregion is energized.

FIG. 12 provides a flowchart describing a method 500 of inducing heatingin a material. At block 502, an array is positioned such that a firstsurface of the array is within a magnetic influence of a surface of thematerial suitable for induction heating. At block 504, electric currentis selectively applied to a first region and another region of the arrayto generate a magnetic field at one of the first region and the otherregion sufficient to induce heating in the material.

FIG. 13 illustrates another example array and two heating targets toinduce induction heating from the generated magnetic field. Withreference to FIG. 6, the region 120 of the array is configured to heatan object on a first surface of the ray, as described herein. A secondregion 122 of the array is configured to heat an object at a secondsurface. In some examples, multiple regions can be positioned adjacentone another, such that each adjacent magnetic field has an oppositepolarity. In the example of FIG. 13, the conductors of a flexible arrayare arranged such that the magnetic fields generated on a surface of aflexible array may be capable of self-attraction (e.g., one portion ofthe flexible array being electrically and/or magnetically attracted toanother portion of the flexible array) which may result in a curling ofthe array when energized, becoming a type of electronic “muscle” oractuator. In this manner, the substrate can curl or wrinkle, dependingon how the array is selectively energized, the current applied, type ofconductor used, and how the conductors are arranged within thesubstrate. In this example, attractive forces at each surface thatexperiences a strong magnetic field may cause the region to curl or bendonto itself in response to an electric current. Thus, the device or aparticular region thereof may curl around a neutral or central axis ontoitself. In a device that includes many combined arrays (see, e.g., FIG.11), the net effect may be the whole of the array experiencing atwo-dimensional compression or “shrinking” (e.g., in the X-Y plane),although bending may cause displacement in the third-dimension alignedwith the magnetic fields (e.g., along the Z-axis).

As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and “circuitry” refer tophysical electronic components (i.e. hardware) and any software and/orfirmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by thehardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As usedherein, for example, a particular processor and memory may comprise afirst “circuit” when executing a first one or more lines of code and maycomprise a second “circuit” when executing a second one or more lines ofcode. As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items inthe list joined by “and/or.” As an example, “x and/or y” means anyelement of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “xand/or y” means “one or both of x and y.” As another example, “x, y,and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x,y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means“one or more of x, y and z.” As utilized herein, the term “exemplary”means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. Asutilized herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example” set off lists ofone or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. Asutilized herein, circuitry is “operable” to perform a function wheneverthe circuitry comprises the necessary hardware and code (if any isnecessary) to perform the function, regardless of whether performance ofthe function is disabled or not enabled (e.g., by a user-configurablesetting, factory trim, etc.).

While the present method and/or system has been described with referenceto certain implementations, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted without departing from the scope of the present methodand/or system. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the presentdisclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, the presentmethod and/or system are not limited to the particular implementationsdisclosed. Instead, the present method and/or system will include allimplementations falling within the scope of the appended claims, bothliterally and under the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electromagnetic array comprising: a substratedefined by a plurality of regions, each region comprising: a pluralityof conductors arranged in a varying configuration such that, uponapplication of an electric current, each conductor of the plurality ofconductors generates a magnetic field in a polarity that is other than apolarity of a corresponding magnetic field of at least one adjacentconductor; and a first surface and a second surface opposite the firstsurface, the first surface having a strong magnetic field relative to aweak magnetic field associated with the second surface in response tothe electric current, wherein a first region of the plurality of regionsis adjacent to at least one other region of the plurality of regions,and configured such that a polarity of the strong magnetic fieldassociated with the first region is in a polarity other than a polarityof the strong magnetic field associated with the at least one otherregion.
 2. The array as defined in claim 1, further comprising acontroller to selectively apply the electric current to the first regionof the plurality of regions independently of a second region of theplurality of regions.
 3. The array as defined in claim 1, wherein thepolarity of the strong magnetic field associated with the first regionis in a polarity opposite the polarity of the strong magnetic fieldassociated with the at least one other region.
 4. The array as definedin claim 1, comprising a controller to selectively apply the electriccurrent to a plurality of conductors associated with a subset of theplurality of regions that are within a magnetic influence of a materialsuitable for induction heating, the application of the electric currentto inductively heat an area of the material corresponding to the subsetof the plurality of regions.
 5. The array as defined in claim 4, whereinthe at least one adjacent region includes a given adjacent region and another adjacent region, the array further comprising a controller toapply the electric current to a plurality of conductors associated witheach of the first region, the given region and the other region suchthat the strong magnetic fields of the given region and the other regionare attracted to a material suitable for induction heating.
 6. The arrayas defined in claim 1, wherein the array is overmolded with a substancecomprising one or more of silicone, polymers, or rubber.
 7. The array asdefined in claim 6, wherein the substance is doped with a materialselected to increase magnetic permeability of the array.
 8. The array asdefined in claim 1, comprising a layer of resistive heating elementsoverlying the substrate.
 9. The array as defined in claim 1, wherein thesubstrate comprises a flexible material.
 10. The array as defined inclaim 1, wherein the flexible material is a flexible printed circuitboard.
 11. The array as defined in claim 10, wherein the flexiblematerial comprises one or more of a polyimide film, polyamide film, or apolyester resin.
 12. The array as defined in claim 1, wherein two ormore regions of the plurality of regions are connected to form one ormore of a regular shape or an irregular shape.
 13. The array as definedin claim 12, wherein the regular shape comprises at least one of atriangular shape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape, and an annulus.14. The array as defined in claim 12, wherein the irregular shapecomprises a curved shape, an L-shaped shape, a U-shaped shape, and anM-shaped shape.
 15. The array as defined in claim 1, wherein one or moreregions of the plurality of regions is independently connected to atleast one electric current source.
 16. The array as defined in claim 1,wherein each conductor of each region is connected to a single electriccurrent source.
 17. An electromagnetic array comprising: a first arrayformed on a first layer of a substrate comprising a plurality ofregions, each region comprising: a plurality of electrical conductorsarranged in a varying configuration such that, upon application of anelectric current, each conductor of the plurality of conductorsgenerates a magnetic field in a polarity that is other than a polarityof a magnetic field of at least one adjacent conductor; and a firstsurface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the firstsurface having a strong magnetic field relative to a weak magnetic fieldassociated with the second surface in response to the electric current,wherein a first region of the plurality of regions is adjacent to atleast one other region of the plurality of regions and arranged suchthat a polarity of the strong magnetic field associated with the firstregion is opposite a polarity of the strong magnetic field associatedwith the at least one other region; and a second array formed on asecond layer of the substrate comprising a plurality of regions, eachregion comprising: a plurality of conductors arranged in a varyingconfiguration such that, upon application of an electric current, eachconductor of the plurality of conductors generates a magnetic field in apolarity that is other than a polarity of a magnetic field of at leastone adjacent conductor; and a first surface and a second surfaceopposite the first surface, the first surface having a strong magneticfield relative to a weak magnetic field associated with the secondsurface in response to the electric current, wherein a first region ofthe plurality of regions is adjacent to at least one other region of theplurality of regions and arranged such that a polarity of the strongmagnetic field associated with the first region is other than a polarityof the strong magnetic field associated with the at least one otherregion.
 18. The array as defined in claim 17, wherein the first andsecond arrays are formed on the substrate such that a first surface ofthe first array faces a second surface of the second array, the firstarray aligned with the second array such that each region of the firstsurface of the first array has a magnetic field in a polarity oppositethe corresponding region of the second surface of the second array,further comprising a controller to apply the electric current to aplurality of conductors associated with each of the first and secondarrays such that the strong magnetic fields of at least twocorresponding regions of the first and second arrays attract.
 19. Thearray as defined in claim 17, wherein the first and second arrays areformed on the substrate such that a first surface of the first arrayfaces a second surface of the second array, the first array aligned withthe second array such that each region of the first surface of the firstarray has a magnetic field in a polarity common to the correspondingregion of the second surface of the second array, further comprising acontroller to apply the electric current to a plurality of conductorsassociated with each of the first and second arrays such that the strongmagnetic fields of at least two corresponding regions of the first andsecond arrays repel.
 20. A method of inducing heating in a materialsuitable for induction heating, the method comprising: positioning anarray such that a first surface of the array is within a magneticinfluence of a surface of the material suitable for induction heating,the array comprising a substrate defined by a plurality of regions, eachregion comprising: a plurality of conductors arranged in a varyingconfiguration such that, upon application of an electric current, eachconductor of the plurality of conductors generates a magnetic field in apolarity that is other than a polarity of a corresponding magnetic fieldof at least one adjacent conductor; and a first surface and a secondsurface opposite the first surface, the first surface having a strongmagnetic field relative to a weak magnetic field associated with thesecond surface in response to the electric current, wherein a firstregion of the plurality of regions is adjacent to at least one otherregion of the plurality of regions, and configured such that a polarityof the strong magnetic field associated with the first region is in apolarity other than a polarity of the strong magnetic field associatedwith the at least one other region; and selectively applying electriccurrent to at least one of the first region and the at least one otherregion of the array to generate a magnetic field at the at least one ofthe first region and the at least one other region sufficient to induceheating in the material.